Would you know what to do if you were involved in a car crash driving through a road tunnel?

This morning, that’s exactly what had happened to an unfortunate driver on his way to work. With a smashed bonnet and with no way for others to help him safely, it made me think, do all road-users know how to stay safe in that situation?

We all read about the tragic story of the 21-year-old man who died after being struck by a car while changing a tyre on the busy Mitchell Freeway. He was a passenger in a ride-share, but the kind-hearted young man’s instinct was to get out of the car and help his Ola driver. He was rushed with critical injuries to Royal Perth Hospital but tragically died the same day.

If something goes wrong with your car, it is perhaps a natural reaction to get out and try to fix the problem yourself, or if you are in a crash, there would be a strong urge to get out of the vehicle.

However, this is not the recommendation of Main Roads.

If you are involved in a crash or break-down on a freeway or metropolitan major road, Luke Van Den Hoek from Main Roads recommends to: 

1. Make every effort to drive your vehicle to a safe location nearby, if possible.
2. Remain in your vehicle, if safe to do so, with a seat belt and hazard lights on.
3. If you must exit your vehicle, stand clear of traffic, ideally behind a barrier – never try to cross the road or stand between vehicles to exchange driver information.
4. Call emergency services on 000, or your roadside assistance provider, if required.
5. Call Main Roads on 138 138 for further advice.

Fortunately, many roads in WA have monitored CCTV, so the chances are that if you are in an incident, your car will be seen and reported to the emergency services.

What should I do if I break down in the Northbridge Tunnel?

There are no emergency lanes inside the Northbridge Tunnel. If you break down, stay inside your vehicle and wait for instructions via your radio, the PA, or Variable Messaging System in the tunnel. 

Tunnel operators monitor the tunnel 24 hours a day and will call for emergency services if required. They will also send for the Incident Response Service to move your vehicle to a safe location. 

Who will tow my vehicle?

Towing assistance applies to broken-down vehicles including accident-damaged vehicles on freeways and major metropolitan roads if determined necessary.

Main Roads assesses each incident on a case-by-case basis. In the event, Main Roads Control Room Operators, who monitor the Main Roads network 24/7, determine a broken-down vehicle is obstructing traffic or in a hazardous location, Main Roads may deploy a tow truck or an Incident Response Service vehicle to assist and relocate the vehicle to the closest safe location to ensure safety for all road users. 

Main Roads recommends private roadside assistance providers such as RAC or tow truck services be contacted if possible, as the Agency may not be able to arrange attendance at every incident.

KEE Group works alongside Main Roads to keep our community safe. Remember to be kind to other road-users, drive safely, never drink and drive and always stay within the speed limits. We want everyone to get home to their families safely every day.

IMAGE © Katharyn Quinn 2021

“He has been exceptional” are the words straight from the transport and logistics manager at Austral Construction, Stuart ‘Foz’ Forster. “Todd is incredibly dedicated to his customers. He is very mindful of the state of equipment both going out and coming back in. He doesn’t let anything go out unless he’s 100% satisfied, which gives everyone peace of mind.” Todd and his crew have checked and supplied over thirty pieces of equipment to Austral Construction for the Gudai-Darri Project in Wittenoom alone. In fact, Todd has been so dedicated that the team at Austral felt compelled to send flowers and a card to his wife, after Todd made the decision to stay back in the yard until a machine had been sent out to them, almost missing his wife’s birthday dinner!

A very proud local Hedlander, his commitment to customer services is inspiring. Todd has also been successfully running the retail side of KEE Group Northern Command (KGNC), offering mechanical support to not only our own fleet of 700 machines, but also our clients’ machinery, trucks, and light vehicles. Covering everything from break-downs, engine repairs, electrical and air-con support, and field service. “It’s one thing for a company to buy brand new machines and put them out to hire, it’s a totally different thing to be able to support them with sincere, personal hands-on care and 24/7 operations and mechanical back up”, said our director Clayton Spiers, “that’s where Todd and his team step in”.

With over 35 years of experience in mechanical and logistics, KEE’s Port Hedland Branch Manager Todd Fuller certainly knows a thing or two about the industry. He is well known and well respected, having previously worked for Rivet, Boral, Finmec, Kalari, and Bruce Rock Engineering. “I know many people in the business and I believe that keeping good contacts is an essential element to bringing success to our yard”.

Born in Tauranga, New Zealand, Todd lived in the harbourside city with his parents, two brothers, and sister. His dad was a skilled mechanic who taught Todd his trade. “He worked in the logging industry and spent his career fixing skidders and low-loaders for Doug Campbell Logging”. From the age of 15, he used to shadow his dad at the workshop. “As a kid, my brothers and I loved football and rugby and we all did a fair spate of boxing.” However, Todd’s main passion was go-karting and rally car driving. “I used to compete against the different towns in a Mark One Escort, it was a lot of fun and sparked my competitive nature”.

At the young age of 18, Todd bought 50% into an engine re-conditioning business with mentor and business partner Laury Shutter. ’I had a choice of buying a house, or buying a business” he said, ”and at the time it felt right to step into something exciting, I guess it was a bit of a gamble”. Tragically, after only 6 months of the partnership, Laury died of a heart attack. Todd was thrown into the deep end. He had to learn fast and really step up. The gamble did pay off and after successfully running the business for 25 years, he sold it and began looking for a new direction.

Todd moved to WA with his wife of 31 years Tracy and their three children. Their favourite holiday spot is camping in Cape Keraudren.

Photo by Chris ©2021